On The Evolution Of "Narrative"--The Study Of A Key Word

Since the 20th century,all kinds of "turns" have influenced the knowledge domain. Today,the "narrative turn" noticed by many people also.In this atmosphere,"narrative" no doubt becomes a key word throughout the humanities and social sciences.What is "narrative"? The answers of this question directly relate to the nature of narrative theory.It is precisely because of such consideration,this paper would study from the original meaning of "narrative" in China and West,and explore its difference between their own history and culture.Then,we would explain the contemporary meaning of "narrative" in the different narrative theory.At last,we would study the Western narrative theory received by China,and its different explanation and using in China.In the West,from the etymological sense,"narrative" as " narrate story" -- the dominant significance has changed little in the history,but its application has changed a lot;in a special dictionary of literature,the interpretation of it are not the same.In China history,the "narrative" not appeared as a synthesis,and its meaning is more extensive.In addition to characterization of "narrative",which "history","the sequence of clues" are both related to it.From the historical and cultural context,the difference of "narrative" between China and West mainly reflected in these:First,the different traditional narrative form between China and the West-- "elite narrative" and "public narrative" has influenced the requirements of recipient:West pay attention to "exchange",while China pay attention to "re-understanding".Second,the Western narrative is more focused on the timing,while China is relatively more emphasis on the multilevel nature of space.Third, the traditional Western narrative pattern often consist of one-way plot structure,while narrative works in China composed more complicated clues,so "order" is important.Then,this paper would pay attention to the explanation of the contemporary narrative theory,such as the Structure Narrative theory,Feminist Narratology,Ideology Narratology,Rhetoric Narratology,and Deconstructive Narratology.On the issue of China's acceptance and variation of Western Narratology,this paper argues that,due to the historical context of China,the narrative theory in China shows mixed characteristics.In the field of literary criticism,narratology variability in China composed these:First,in China,the foundation of Classical Narratology--the thinking of two-sided rejection--have been shaken.People often use the set of narrative theory,while still keeping our own history conception.Second,Chinese people often focus on the surface structure of text,the terms such as narrator are widely used, but the deep structure of text often be ignored.Third,the literature critic concern about both the text and the writer,this is different from the notion of "the author's death" in Western narrative theory.Finally,this paper argues that,the first and foremost problem of the narrative construction in China is reconcile the relationship between tradition and modernity,and reconcile the relationship between China and the West.We should face the latest achievements of Western narrative theory with an open mind,and research the narrative theory of traditional Chinese heritage in an objective manner,then keep a contemporary vision with Chinese current literature.In this way,Chinese narrative theory could participate in the international dialogue.